San Antonio Spurs official thread
- Thread starter savage
- Start date
Hell yeah SA got the steal of the draft. DeJuan Blair, that nigga was supposed to go in the lottery. I say take the chance on his knees its not like hes gonna be gettin big money. If comes through then thats just what SA needed. Stole a trade and stole a draft pick. Just when they wanted to write the Spurs off once again.
Bruce Bowen Announces Retirement
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Bruce Bowen won't be pestering the NBA's best anymore.
The 38-year-old former San Antonio Spurs forward retired Thursday after 12 seasons and a reputation as one of the league's most menacing defenders, hounding opponents with a tenacity that some players groused was more dirty than dogged.
He called it quits after being waived this summer by Milwaukee, where the Spurs dealt him in a veteran dump-off for swingman Richard Jefferson -- a decision Bowen said he understood.
"You need to do things to better the business, and the Spurs definitely got better in the players they received, so I'm looking forward to continuously supporting the Spurs, but from more of a distance now," he said in a news conference at his wife's San Antonio salon.
Bowen said he had been weighing retirement for the last five years.
Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili get most of the glory for bringing three NBA championships to San Antonio this decade. But Bowen gladly did the dirty work, relishing his role as the pesky, lockdown defender who covered the other team's best player.
Asked about the likely reaction to his retirement from stars like the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant and the Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash, Bowen chuckled, "I'm sure a lot of people are happy."
Bowen was named eight times to the NBA's all-defensive team. He finished runner-up three times in defensive player of the year voting. And though he never averaged more than 8.2 points a season, Bowen didn't shy from taking a clutch 3-pointer.
He started alongside the Big Three during the championship runs in 2003, 2005 and 2007. Bowen went on to start 500 straight games before kicking New Orleans' Chris Paul in March 2008 and drawing a one-game suspension -- justice in the eyes of Bowen's critics. Opposing fans vilified Bowen as a master of cheap shots and sneaky shoves. Amare Stoudemire once insisted Bowen purposely kicked him in the playoffs. Dirk Nowitzki said after a physical April playoff game that it was the Spurs who had a dirty player, not Dallas.
Nowitzki didn't mention Bowen by name. He didn't have to.
Bowen acknowledged Thursday only one play in which he purposely kicked another player: Ray Allen in a March 2006 game against the Seattle SuperSonics, a scuffle that earned him a $10,000 fine.
"That play, I remember and I regret because of me intentionally doing that," Bowen said.
But he said that his reputation as a sometimes dirty player is unfair.
"People are entitled to their own opinions. I've been fighting that for quite some time," said Bowen, who added he drew a lot of calls because of bad timing. "It just so happened that I was there after everyone stuck their hands in the cookie jar and then the lights came on and I had a cookie."
Bowen was not the most obvious starter for a championship team early in his career. Drafted by Miami from Cal State Fullerton, he spent several seasons bouncing between clubs and earning little playing time.
But after his 2001 arrival in San Antonio, he found his place, eventually earning defensive player accolades and a regular starting job.
He said he hopes that will be his legacy.
"It's not how you start but how you finish," Bowen said. "I hope my legacy would be as someone that never was satisfied with just being where they were."
http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/090903_bowen.html
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Bruce Bowen won't be pestering the NBA's best anymore.
The 38-year-old former San Antonio Spurs forward retired Thursday after 12 seasons and a reputation as one of the league's most menacing defenders, hounding opponents with a tenacity that some players groused was more dirty than dogged.
He called it quits after being waived this summer by Milwaukee, where the Spurs dealt him in a veteran dump-off for swingman Richard Jefferson -- a decision Bowen said he understood.
"You need to do things to better the business, and the Spurs definitely got better in the players they received, so I'm looking forward to continuously supporting the Spurs, but from more of a distance now," he said in a news conference at his wife's San Antonio salon.
Bowen said he had been weighing retirement for the last five years.
Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili get most of the glory for bringing three NBA championships to San Antonio this decade. But Bowen gladly did the dirty work, relishing his role as the pesky, lockdown defender who covered the other team's best player.
Asked about the likely reaction to his retirement from stars like the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant and the Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash, Bowen chuckled, "I'm sure a lot of people are happy."
Bowen was named eight times to the NBA's all-defensive team. He finished runner-up three times in defensive player of the year voting. And though he never averaged more than 8.2 points a season, Bowen didn't shy from taking a clutch 3-pointer.
He started alongside the Big Three during the championship runs in 2003, 2005 and 2007. Bowen went on to start 500 straight games before kicking New Orleans' Chris Paul in March 2008 and drawing a one-game suspension -- justice in the eyes of Bowen's critics. Opposing fans vilified Bowen as a master of cheap shots and sneaky shoves. Amare Stoudemire once insisted Bowen purposely kicked him in the playoffs. Dirk Nowitzki said after a physical April playoff game that it was the Spurs who had a dirty player, not Dallas.
Nowitzki didn't mention Bowen by name. He didn't have to.
Bowen acknowledged Thursday only one play in which he purposely kicked another player: Ray Allen in a March 2006 game against the Seattle SuperSonics, a scuffle that earned him a $10,000 fine.
"That play, I remember and I regret because of me intentionally doing that," Bowen said.
But he said that his reputation as a sometimes dirty player is unfair.
"People are entitled to their own opinions. I've been fighting that for quite some time," said Bowen, who added he drew a lot of calls because of bad timing. "It just so happened that I was there after everyone stuck their hands in the cookie jar and then the lights came on and I had a cookie."
Bowen was not the most obvious starter for a championship team early in his career. Drafted by Miami from Cal State Fullerton, he spent several seasons bouncing between clubs and earning little playing time.
But after his 2001 arrival in San Antonio, he found his place, eventually earning defensive player accolades and a regular starting job.
He said he hopes that will be his legacy.
"It's not how you start but how you finish," Bowen said. "I hope my legacy would be as someone that never was satisfied with just being where they were."
http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/090903_bowen.html
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- David Robinson, who won two NBA championships and a pair of Olympic gold medals, has been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.
Teammate Tim Duncan and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich were among the audience to see Robinson, still a popular figure in San Antonio because of his work in the community. Robinson thanked the Spurs organization for bringing so many people to the induction and acknowledged Duncan, calling him "my answer to prayer."
Robinson was the 1995 NBA MVP and helped San Antonio win titles in 1999 and 2003. He played on the 1992 Dream Team along with Michael Jordan and John Stockton, who also were in Friday's class, and won gold again in 1996.
Coaches Jerry Sloan and C. Vivian Stringer also were in the class.
Teammate Tim Duncan and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich were among the audience to see Robinson, still a popular figure in San Antonio because of his work in the community. Robinson thanked the Spurs organization for bringing so many people to the induction and acknowledged Duncan, calling him "my answer to prayer."
Robinson was the 1995 NBA MVP and helped San Antonio win titles in 1999 and 2003. He played on the 1992 Dream Team along with Michael Jordan and John Stockton, who also were in Friday's class, and won gold again in 1996.
Coaches Jerry Sloan and C. Vivian Stringer also were in the class.
SAN ANTONIO (AP)—Guard Keith Bogans(notes) is the latest newcomer to the San Antonio Spurs.
Bogans’ agent, Michael Harrison, says he is set to sign a guaranteed one-year deal with the Spurs before training camp starts next week. San Antonio will be Bogan’s fifth team in seven seasons.
The 29-year-old Bogans averaged 5.6 points playing for Orlando and Milwaukee last season. His biggest asset to the Spurs will be on defense after the Spurs traded away Bruce Bowen(notes) this summer.
Bowen has since retired. San Antonio has also added Richard Jefferson(notes), Antonio McDyess(notes) and Theo Ratliff(notes) in the offseason.
Bogans’ agent, Michael Harrison, says he is set to sign a guaranteed one-year deal with the Spurs before training camp starts next week. San Antonio will be Bogan’s fifth team in seven seasons.
The 29-year-old Bogans averaged 5.6 points playing for Orlando and Milwaukee last season. His biggest asset to the Spurs will be on defense after the Spurs traded away Bruce Bowen(notes) this summer.
Bowen has since retired. San Antonio has also added Richard Jefferson(notes), Antonio McDyess(notes) and Theo Ratliff(notes) in the offseason.
SAN ANTONIO (AP)—Spurs forward Richard Jefferson(notes) could miss the start of training camp after dislocating his right thumb.
Jefferson was injured Tuesday while working out at the Spurs’ practice facility. X-rays were negative, and the 29-year-old swingman is expected to be re-examined next week.
The Spurs called the injury minor. Training camp begins Sept. 29.
Jefferson was the marquee addition in a busy offseason for San Antonio, coming to the Spurs in a four-player deal with Milwaukee. He has not missed a game the past two seasons.
Jefferson was injured Tuesday while working out at the Spurs’ practice facility. X-rays were negative, and the 29-year-old swingman is expected to be re-examined next week.
The Spurs called the injury minor. Training camp begins Sept. 29.
Jefferson was the marquee addition in a busy offseason for San Antonio, coming to the Spurs in a four-player deal with Milwaukee. He has not missed a game the past two seasons.
SAN ANTONIO (AP)—Tony Parker(notes) didn’t see many familiar faces Monday when he returned to work after an unusually long summer for the San Antonio Spurs.
“I came in the locker room and half the guys are all new,” Parker said. “It’s kind of nice.”
Parker is not unsentimental. He’s just realistic about what the Spurs needed.
So are Tim Duncan(notes) and Manu Ginobili(notes), who are healthy again and eagerly welcomed Richard Jefferson(notes), Antonio McDyess(notes) and the rest of an overhauled roster to training camp following the frustration last season of the shortest Spurs playoff run since 2000.
The Spurs also brought aboard veterans Theo Ratliff(notes) and Keith Bogans(notes), and added All-America forward DeJuan Blair(notes) in the draft. To make room, San Antonio let go aging role players and longtime Spurs fixtures, including Bruce Bowen(notes).
The Spurs didn’t get drastically younger, but they are certain they got better.
“I think it’s important at a certain point to realize that it’s time to turn,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “We felt like that for a couple years and slowly moved toward it, knowing full well at some point we had to change. And last year was our last attempt with that group.”
The 35-year-old McDyess said he might have retired had the Spurs not made him an offer in free agency. Jefferson said he just wants to fit in after coming over from Milwaukee in a four-player deal.
“You have that established group with Tim, Tony and Manu,” Jefferson said. “You just want to contribute to that.”
Ginobili told reporters at the Spurs media day that he feels no pain after ankle problems limited the 32-year-old to just 44 games last season and kept him out of the playoffs.
Duncan showed up 15 pounds leaner and said he, too, was feeling OK after being hobbled by knee problems last season.
Duncan said he doesn’t want to break down again like he did last spring, when the 33-year-old sat out games down the stretch to rest and recover.
So entering his 13th season, Duncan started his preseason regimen a month later. He didn’t flip tires or run sprints up a steep hill like last summer, and instead kept up his conditioning with boxing and swimming.
“I’m not gearing down or playing at a different level,” Duncan said. “I’m just trying to stay healthy.”
Popovich said he’ll ease Duncan back into camp along with Ginobili and Parker, who sprained his ankle playing for the French national team this summer. Jefferson, who jammed his thumb during a workout earlier this month, said he won’t miss any time.
The biggest relief for the Spurs might be the sight of Ginobili walking around healthy. The Spurs sputtered badly last season without Ginobili’s offensive spark, particularly during a first-round loss in the playoffs to Dallas. It was the second straight postseason that Ginobili was banged up.
Ginobili said his ankle problems were the toll of playing summers once the seasons in San Antonio were finished. Staying healthy could mean a shift in how the NBA is used to seeing Ginobili score: fearlessly driving to the basket, eager to make contact before firing off some twisting, acrobatic shot.
“I might be more cautious and take more midrange shots rather than getting fouled every time,” he said.
Will he think twice from now on before charging into the paint?
“I don’t think so,” Ginobili said. “I think when it counts and when I see the opportunity, I’ll be the same.”
“I came in the locker room and half the guys are all new,” Parker said. “It’s kind of nice.”
Parker is not unsentimental. He’s just realistic about what the Spurs needed.
So are Tim Duncan(notes) and Manu Ginobili(notes), who are healthy again and eagerly welcomed Richard Jefferson(notes), Antonio McDyess(notes) and the rest of an overhauled roster to training camp following the frustration last season of the shortest Spurs playoff run since 2000.
The Spurs also brought aboard veterans Theo Ratliff(notes) and Keith Bogans(notes), and added All-America forward DeJuan Blair(notes) in the draft. To make room, San Antonio let go aging role players and longtime Spurs fixtures, including Bruce Bowen(notes).
The Spurs didn’t get drastically younger, but they are certain they got better.
“I think it’s important at a certain point to realize that it’s time to turn,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “We felt like that for a couple years and slowly moved toward it, knowing full well at some point we had to change. And last year was our last attempt with that group.”
The 35-year-old McDyess said he might have retired had the Spurs not made him an offer in free agency. Jefferson said he just wants to fit in after coming over from Milwaukee in a four-player deal.
“You have that established group with Tim, Tony and Manu,” Jefferson said. “You just want to contribute to that.”
Ginobili told reporters at the Spurs media day that he feels no pain after ankle problems limited the 32-year-old to just 44 games last season and kept him out of the playoffs.
Duncan showed up 15 pounds leaner and said he, too, was feeling OK after being hobbled by knee problems last season.
Duncan said he doesn’t want to break down again like he did last spring, when the 33-year-old sat out games down the stretch to rest and recover.
So entering his 13th season, Duncan started his preseason regimen a month later. He didn’t flip tires or run sprints up a steep hill like last summer, and instead kept up his conditioning with boxing and swimming.
“I’m not gearing down or playing at a different level,” Duncan said. “I’m just trying to stay healthy.”
Popovich said he’ll ease Duncan back into camp along with Ginobili and Parker, who sprained his ankle playing for the French national team this summer. Jefferson, who jammed his thumb during a workout earlier this month, said he won’t miss any time.
The biggest relief for the Spurs might be the sight of Ginobili walking around healthy. The Spurs sputtered badly last season without Ginobili’s offensive spark, particularly during a first-round loss in the playoffs to Dallas. It was the second straight postseason that Ginobili was banged up.
Ginobili said his ankle problems were the toll of playing summers once the seasons in San Antonio were finished. Staying healthy could mean a shift in how the NBA is used to seeing Ginobili score: fearlessly driving to the basket, eager to make contact before firing off some twisting, acrobatic shot.
“I might be more cautious and take more midrange shots rather than getting fouled every time,” he said.
Will he think twice from now on before charging into the paint?
“I don’t think so,” Ginobili said. “I think when it counts and when I see the opportunity, I’ll be the same.”
You go to many home games?
The season right before the Sonics left Seattle, the Spurs came to Seattle, and I got some tickets for the game. The Spurs lost, but it was still coo. I showed up in my Duncan jersey and Spurs hat. I wouldn't mind checking out a Spurs playoff game, though. That'd be tight, especially a finals game.
The season right before the Sonics left Seattle, the Spurs came to Seattle, and I got some tickets for the game. The Spurs lost, but it was still coo. I showed up in my Duncan jersey and Spurs hat. I wouldn't mind checking out a Spurs playoff game, though. That'd be tight, especially a finals game.